Voices in Recovery

“Spiritual experiences” and “spiritual awakening” are powerful phrases, and when we as addictive people in recovery contemplate them, they can seem like 1) invitations to a new kind of “high” or 2) nearly impossible goals.

But one of the most remarkable things about the 12 Steps is how they define and “engineer” spiritual experiences so that anybody with willingness, honesty, and open-mindedness can have them. And these very doable experiences turn out not to be momentary highs, but new adventures in, and perspectives on, living.

On May 14, I’ll talk about how my understanding of spiritual experience has changed (from thrilling encounters with God to a slow acceptance of other human beings), and try to describe how the process of spiritual awakening happened for me. ~Jon S.

What are spiritual experiences? Is there such a thing as a spiritual awakening?

Bill and Bob became awakened and transformed. As I’ve done my best to walk with them, I’ve found that spiritual experiences and spiritual awakening add up to a great mystery –– and that's why they’re so powerful.